University of Virginia Library

The Kings work will be now, both to relieve
And to correct, as cause, he shall perceive,
Without respect to persons, or wrongs done,
Before a Reconcilement was begun;
Except so far forth onely, in relieving,
In recompencing, honouring, or giving,
As he's to those men, who with him ingaged
In charity, and gratitude obliged,
Without destroying any in these Nations
VVho were submissive to GOD's Dispensations;
And, who, were mov'd to that which they have done
By Conscience, or by Ignorance alone,
VVithout malicious purpose or design,
Against a known Law, Moral or Divine.
And therefore, where respect is to be had
To suff'rers, and to satisfaction made;
The best expedient to prevent debates,
And ruining of many mens estates,
VVill either be, if we had such Trustees,
VVho by this change, life nor estates do leese,
(And by confederating long together
VVith publick spoils inriched one another,
Or may be proved guilty of a Cheat,
Which formerly did friend or foe defeat
Of his estate; or, to the publick wrong
More power assum'd, than did to them belong)
To cause, that, they to whom these gave offence,
May out of their estates have recompence;
For, why should great Revenues be enjoy'd
By them, whose guilt hath guiltless men destroy'd?
Or rather, since that many among these
Were intermixt (who their miscarriages
Opposed to their power) whom none knows how
From persons guilty, to distinguish now:
Why should not for the Credit of the Nation,
(For Justice sake) and for the preservation
Of common peace, all parties help to bear
Their heavy burthens who oppressed are?
For, ev'ry man among us, more or less,
Is some way of guilty of this wickedness:
And GOD, if this course long defer wee shall,
His Vengeance will divide among us all.
Let therefore none, who in these suffering times
Shall scape the punishments due to their crimes,
Insult o'er them that suffer, or suppose
Their prosp'ring from their well-deserving flows.
Let them remember, and consider well,
That they on whom the Tower of Silo fell,
No greater sinners judged were than they
On whom it fell not; and think at this day
Some men may perish, who have been more free
From guiltiness, than most that saved be.